Ore-washer.



' N0 MODEL.

no. "fracas rre Srarne Patented November 39, 1904i.

PEMWASHEH..

SEPECIFXCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 775,948, datedNovember 29, 1904. Application filed October 30, 1902. Serial No.129,403. (No model.)

To (1J/Z when?, t 'nea/y concerns Be it known that I, ALBERT H.S'r'nBBfNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Little Rock,county of' Pulaski, and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new anduseful 11nprovements in Ore-VVashers, of which the following is aspecification, reference beingl had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part thereof.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to ore-washers forextracting and collecting the valuable particles from the large amountof waste material with whichthey may be mixed, and in the presentembodiment of my invention l have shown and described what I term a drywasherwthat is, an apparatus in which air or other fluid is employed inconnection with mechanical devices to separate the light and wastematerial and expel it from the ap paratus,leaving behind the values,which may be collected for further use.

lt is well known that ground or pulped ore or other material containingvaluable minerals is composed of particles differing in speciiicgravities and that if such material be subjected to the action of air orlike fluid in a manner to agitate the mass the heavy or valuableparticles will g'ravitate to the bottom of the mass, while the lighteror waste particles will be found near the top. l have taken advantage ofthis fact and have devised means whereby air or other fluid currents arecaused to pass through comminuted material to cause a stratificationthereof according to the speciiic gravities of the particles andsimultaneously therewith to remove the top strata of light or wastematerial, leaving' the heavy or valuable particles to be collected asdesired, all as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in theclaims.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a central longitudinal section of themachine embodying my invention, taken on the line :1i .fr of Fig. 2.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is a cross-section thereofon the line y f/ of Fig'. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow Fig.4t is a perspective view of a detail detached from the machine andembodying the regulating-bars to be described, and Fig. 5 is a detacheddetail view of a modification of the regulating-bars and screenconnections to described.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is designed as a dry washer-thatis, a machine designed to extract a small amount of values from alarg'eamount of waste material by the combined action of air or like currentsand mechanical means, and in the present embodiment of my inventioncomprises a box-like frame, (designated asa whole by the referenceletterAJ said frame in the present form of my invention being elongated in thegeneral condition of' a trough and comprising side pieces a, connectedby the bottom uf, above which and dividing' the box-like frame to formthe air-chamber B is the concentrating-surfacc (l, said surface beingprovided with perforations c, formed by forcing' upward a portion of thematerial of said surface to produce an offset c, the said openin throughthe concentratingsurface C being directed iinfeferablylengthwise of' themachine, as shown, and toward the feed end thereof, whereby the air orother fluid currents forced through said perforations c in theconcentrating-surface will be directed along and over said surfacetoward the feed end of the machine. At the feed end the machine isprovided with a feed-hopper H, into which material to be treated may beplaced. At the opposite or discharge end of the machine and incommunication with the iiuidchamberB is an air or fluid inlet B', bywhich suitable blasts of air or other fluid may be introduced into theHuid-chamber and be directed from the discharge end of the machinetoward the feed end. lt will thus be seen that the fiuid-inlet directsthe initial blasts of air or fluid as they enter the fluid-chamber inthe direction of the feed end of the machine and that the perforations cin the concentrating surface C also act to continue this direction ofmovement of the air or fluid currents.`

Secured to the sides a of the box-like frame A and extending between thesame with their lower edges resting upon the concentratingsurface C arethe riffles R, against which the heavy material, such as the values orconcentrates, will lodge as the mass of material travels from the hoppertoward the outlet end of the machine,as will hereinafter more fullyappear.

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l bars being disposed above the riiiies and im- These rililes may ofcourse be of various i shapes and be varied in number; but in thepresent embodiment of my invention I have shown four of such riffleswhich are inclined slightly to the concentrating-surface C; but otherdispositions of these rifiies may sometimes be desirable. Likewisesecured to the sides a of the frame A are the impedimental bars I,extending between the sides of the said. frame and disposed with theirlower edges some distance above Ythe concentrating-surface. Theseimpedimental bars are located one preferably in front of or adjacent toeach of the riffies R, and the lower edge thereof may, if desired,extend slightly below the top edge of the adjacent rifiie, although thisis not essential, as other relations may exist between the lower edgesof the impedimental bars and the top edges of the riifles, the saidimpedimental bars being intended to partially obstruct the flow of thematerial as it passes from the hopper toward the discharge end of themachine. Like the rifiies, the impedimental bars I are inclined,preferably, toward the concentrating-surface C, so that material passingfrom the hopper to the discharge end of the machine will be directed bythe front face of the impedimental bars downward toward theconcentrating-surface, where it is subjected to the force of thecurrents of air or other iuid passing through the perforations c of saidsurface.

Extending transversely7 between the sides a of the frame A is a thirdset of bars, which I will designate as the regulating-bars K, saidpedimental bars and inclined, preferably, parallel to the inclination ofthe said bars. The ofiice of these regulating-bars is to control orregulate the amount of material-such as gravel, sand, or pulp4which maytravel down the machine from the feed-hopper to the discharge end, thesaid regulating-bars serving to prevent such material from travelingthrough the machine without being subjected to the action of the air oriiuid currents and the riffles and impedimental bars, since in order topass the said regulating-bars K the material is caused to go beneath thesame. In some cases I have found it desirable to provide theregulating-bars with a series of teeth 7u, extending downward from thelower edge of said bars to further impede and obstruct the free travelof the material from the hopper toward the feed end of the machine.

Vhile it is generally desirable to use the l regulating-bars K or someequivalent means for preventing too rapid movement of the material fromthe hopper to the discharge end of the machine without proper treatmentfor i the extraction of the values or concentrates, I have preferablymounted said regulating-bars in a removable frame L, comprising the sideframes Z Z, which iit between the side frames a a of the box-like frameA, the saidl remov.-

' Fig. 5.

able frame and regulating-bars being best shown detached in Fig. et andin position between the side pieces a of the frame by the cross-sectionof Fig. 3 and in plan in Fig. 2.

In the treatment of some characters of material, especially where thecomponent particles, such as gravel and the like, are comparativelylarge, it is desirable that such large and waste material shall beeliminated from the machine without passing into the action of theimpedimental bars, riifies, and Huid-currents, and I have thereforedevised another form of regulating' device from that shown in Fig. 4,which when the regulating device L of Fig. 4 is removed from the machinemay be substituted therefor to accomplish the results stated. Thismodilied form of regulating device comprises suitable side frames m,adapted to fit between the side frames a a of the boxlike frame A, andthe lower edges of said side frames lm are connected by a screen lmf,the side frames being themselves further connected by obstructing-bars,such as 0, extending between the side frames, with their lower edges inYcontact with the upper surface of the. screen m'. Above the screen m andintermediate the obstructing-boards O are other regulatingbars P, thedisposition and construction of which will be clearly apparent from Inorder that no material shall pass to the concentrating-surface beforefirst passing through the screen mf', I have provided the end of themodified form of regulating device of Fig. 5 withthe reduced end j),which when the said device is forced to position between the side piecesa of the frame A extend into the lower portion of the hopper, so thatmaterial from the hopper before passing onto the concentrating-surfacemust first pass onto the screen m, as will be evident. The devicesillustrated by Figs. 4 and I will term regulating7 devices, since theycontrol or regulate the material as it passes from the hopper toward thefeed end of the machine.

It is advantageous in many instances to clean the concentrates or valuesfrom the concentrating-surface frequently, and a ready means for doingso becomes desirable. Therefore down one side of the machine ispreferably placed a concentrate chute or pipe S, into which from aboveeach riii'le the concentrates may be discharged by brushing them througha suitable opening in the walls or side pieces a i of the frame A, thesaid openings being normally closed by means of suitable doors or slides.3. In order to clean the concentrates from the concentrating-surface inthis manner, it is only necessary to raise the doors s and brush theconcentrates or values into the chute or pipe S, from which they may bereadily collected, as desired.

It will be obvious that in machines of this character, where theperforations c in the concentrating-surface are directed from the dis-IOO lIO

rissa-a charge toward the feed end of the machine, more or less dust andlike waste material will `find its way through said perforations intothe iiuidchamber B, and in order to keep such chamber properly cleaned Ihave provided said chamber near the discharge end of the machine with adust-discharge T normally closed by a suitable valve or slide t, fromwhich it will be seen that the chamber B may be readily freed fromaccumulations of dust and like waste material by merely opening theslide or valve t and giving' the machine a vibratory motion, or suchmaterial will fall from the dust-chute T without such assistance ofmotion to the machine.

The machine that I have herein described is especially adapted fortransportation and can be made in any small size, so as to be readilypacked in a suitable carrying-ease by a single individual, if desired,although as to size the machine may of course vary between wide limits.

l/Vhile l have shown the particular direction of the perforations in theconcentrating-surface C and the particular construction and dispositionof the rifiles and impedimental bars and likewise other features ofstructure, it is to be understood that in these particulars the devicemay be varied between wide limits.

Material being' fed into the feed-hopper H and the preferred form ofreg'ulating device L being' adjusted in position, as shown in Fig. l,with the machine held by the hands or otherwise in proper inclinedposition suitable to the material being acted upon, the said materialwill flow downward toward, onto, and across the concentratingsurfacetoward the discharge end of the machine and will be controlled in thismovementtoward the discharge end of the machine by the impedimental andregulating bars, so that its course through the machine will not be toorapid, and so that also the top layers of material may not travelthrough the machine over the lower layers without being first acted uponby the air or fiuid currents to stratify the material and cause theheavier particles or values to be deposited upon theconeenmating-surface in the pockets of the rifiies. The material thuspassing through themachine is acted upon by the air or fluid currentspassing through the perfo rated concentrating-surface, which il uid-currents are directed across and over the concen trating-surfaee and thenpass upward through the mass of material, thus assisting in theobstruction of the free downward movement of the material andstratifying the same by its agitation of the material, which causes theheavy particles to gravitate to the bottom of the mass. The concentratesor values will thus fall into pockets to the left of the riiiies and maybe collected therefrom through the concentrate-chute S, as desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure b v Letters Patent, is Y- l. In a dry washer, the combination oia frame, a concentrating-surface arranged upon said frame, saidconcentrating-surface being provided with perforations, saidperforations being disposed to direct currents of fluid over or parallelto the concentrating-surface against the flow of material thereon, aseries of ri tiles extending across the frame and disposed above theconcentrating-surface, and means for introducing a blast of fluidthrough said pei forations.

2. ln a dry washer, the coml'iination of a box-like frame, provided witha perforated concentrating-surface arranged above the bottom thereof toform a fluid-chamber, means for introducing Huid-currents into saidehanibei', a series of riiiies arranged transversely of and in contactwith the coneentrating-sur face, a series of impedimental bars arrangedabove the concentrating-surface providing a space between said surfacesand their lower edges for the passage of material, and a series ofregulating-bars disposed above the impedimental bars.

3. In a dry washer, the combination of a box-like frame, aconcentrating-surface provided with perforations having' offsets fordirecting 'Iluidcurrents over said surface, means for directinglfluid-currents through said perforations, a series of rifiles arrangedabove and in contact with said concentrati ng-surfacn a series ofimpedimental bars having their lower edges disposed at a distance abovethe concentrating-surface, and a series of regulating-bars above theimpedimental bars.

fl. ln a dry washer, the combination of a box-like frame having' sidepieces and a con centrating-surface arranged above the bottom of saidframe to provide a duid-chain ber, said concentratingsurface beingprovided with ,perforationa means for introducing' iiuid in to saidfluid-chamber, a series of riflies extending between the side pieces ofthe box-like frame and having' their lower edges in contact wit-h theconcentrating-surface., a .series of impedimental bars extending'between the side pieces of the box-like :frame and having their loweredges disposed above the eoneen trating-surfaces, and a series ofremovable regulating-bars disposed above theimpedimental bars.

5. lln a dry washer, the combination oi a box-like frame having alfeed-hopper at one end and side pieces extending' toward the dischargeend thereof, a perli'orated concentrating-surface arranged above thebottom of said boX-like frame to provide a inidchan1ber, means forintroducing' fluid-blasts .into the fluid-chamber near the discharge endof the machine, a series of riilies extending between Y the side piecesof the frame and having' their lower edges in contact with the coneentrating- LOU IIO

surface, the said side pieces being' provided with perforations for theremoval of values or concentrates caught by the riifles, a series ofimpedimental bars and regulating-bars arranged above theconcentrating-surface and rifiies.

6. In a dry washer, the combination of a frame having a feed-hopper atone end and discharge-opening at the other,`side pieces extendingbetween the feed-hopper and discharge end of the machine, aconcentratingsurface arranged above the bottom of said frame to providea Huid-chamber, said concentrating-surface having perforations providedwith offsets for directing fluid-currents over saidconcentrating-surface in a direction toward the feed-hopper, means forintroducing huid-currents into the fluid-chamber at the discharge end ofthe machine, and a series of riifles, impedimental bars andregulatingbars disposed between the side pieces and the frame,substantially as described.

7. In a dry washer, the combination of a frame, a feed-hopper at one endthereof, and a discharge-opening at the opposite end, side piecesextending from the feed-hopper to the discharge end,a perforatedconcentrating-surface arranged above the bottom of the said frame, meansfor introducing fluid-currents into said fluid-chamber, a series ofrifiies extending between the side pieces of the frame and having theirlower edges in contact with the concentrating-surface, and a series ofimpedimental bars disposed above the concentrating-surface, and a seriesof regulatingbars disposed above the impedirnental bars, saidregulating-bars having teeth projecting from their lower edges.

8. In a dry washer, the combination of a box-like frame having afeed-chute at one end yand a discharge atthe opposite end, side piecesextending from the feed-hopper to the discharge end, a perforatedconcentrating-surface arranged above the bottom of said boxlilre frameto form a fluid-chamber, means for introducing blasts of fluid into saidfluid-chamber, a series of rifiies inclined to and in contact with theconcentrating-surface and extending between the said side pieces, aseries of impedimental bars extending between the side pieces anddisposed with their lower edges above the concentrating-surface, and aremovable regulating device having regulatingbars extending between theside pieces, and teeth projecting from the lower edge of saidregulating-bars.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, aconcentrating-surface supported thereby, a feed-hopper disposed at oneend of said frame to supply material to the concentrating-surface, saidconcentrating-surface being provided with perforations the walls ofwhich are disposed to vaas/ie direct Huid-currents toward the hopperover or parallel to said surface to move the material along said surfaceand stratify the same, and means for directing currents of fluid throughsaid perforations.

lO. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, aconcentrating-surface supported thereby, a feed-hopper to supplymaterial to said surface, said surface being provided with perforationsdisposed in a direction toward the feed-hopper to direct currents offluid over said surface against the flow of material thereon, a seriesof riffies above the concentrating-surface, and means for directingfluid-currents through said perforations.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, aconcentrating-surface supported thereby, a feed-hopper at one end of themachine to supply material to said surface for treatment, chutesdisposed at the side of the machine for the discharge of theconcentrates or values, a discharge for the waste products, said surfacebeing provided with a series of perforations,the walls of which aredisposed to direct currents of fluid over said surface and against theflow of material thereon, and means for directing {iuid-currents throughsaid perforations.

l2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, aconcentrating-surface supported thereby, a feed-hopper at one end of themachine to supply material to said surface for treatment, chutesdisposed at the side of the machine for the discharge of theconcentrates, or values, slides or doors for normally closing saidchutes, a discharge for the waste products, said surface being providedwith a series of perforations, the walls of which are disposed to directcurrents of fluid over said surface and against the flow of materialthereon, and means for directing fluidcurrents through saidperforations.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, aconcentrating-surface supported thereby, a feed-hopper at one end of themachine to supply material to said surface for treatment, chutesdisposed at the side of the machine for the discharge of theconcentrates or values, a discharge for the waste products, a series ofriffles disposed above said concentrate-surface, one adjacent each ofsaid chutes, said surface being provided with a series of perforations,the walls of which are disposed to direct currents of fluid over saidsurface and against the flow of material thereon, and means fordirecting fluid-currents through said perforations.

ALBERT H. STEBBINS.

'In presence of- J. F. LEWIS, J. E. LEAs.

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